Spinal anesthesia was first used in the late 1800s. If It is used in the right way and in the right dose, it can provide effective supportive benefits during the procedure. In the opposite case, It can cause unpredictable side effects. Let’s learn with us the dangerous possibility that the side effects of spinal anesthesia can cause!

Method of spinal anesthesia

Spinal anesthesia is a method of regional anesthesia, which is performed by injecting local anesthetic into the cerebrospinal fluid in the middle of the back. The anesthetic is mixed with the cerebrospinal fluid, which will inhibit the conduction of nerve roots, causing loss of sensation and motor paralysis. This is an emotionless method that needs people who have experience in the industry and master new manipulations and principles.

It is a technique that requires the cooperation of the patient with the doctor. Before the procedure, you may be given a sedative. Most patients will be awake during the procedure. Patients still hear, see, even feel pain when inserting the anesthetic needle.

Indications for spinal anesthesia

It can be used in the following cases:

• Urology surgery
• Lower abdomen surgery
• Gynecological surgery
• Orthopedic trauma surgery
• Lumbar spine surgery

Contraindications for spinal anesthesia

In some cases, It is not used because of the risk factors for the patient.

Relative contraindications

• Malnutrition
• Osteoarthritis
• Cerebral vascular fibrosis
• Headaches and spinal pain
• Coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction
• Anemia, unstable blood pressure

Absolute contraindication

• Severe heart disease
• Increased intracranial pressure
• Allergy to local anesthetics
• Patient disagrees
• Abnormal spinal deformities
• Infection at the puncture site
• Blood clotting disorder or taking anticoagulants

Side effects of spinal anesthesia

Understanding the side effects of spinal anesthesia can help you control the condition and treat it promptly.

• Infection: Failure to apply the principle of absolute sterility can cause infections such as local infections, meningitis, etc.

• Nausea and vomiting: Usually due to hypotension causing cerebral hypoxia, changes in intracranial pressure or side effects of local anesthetics. Treatment is to increase blood pressure by infusion, drugs to increase blood pressure or use antiemetics.

• Urinary retention: As a side effect of local anesthetics, it increases the tone of the bladder neck sphincter and inhibits the plexus and causes urinary retention. Treatment is hot compress, use of drugs to treat urinary retention or catheterization.

• Headache: A side effect of spinal anesthesia can cause a headache after about 1–2 days. Because the needle punctured the dura mater and arachnoid, causing cerebrospinal fluid to leak, causing headache. Treatment is that the patient needs to stay in bed, give fluids, take pain medication, and the doctor needs to use a small needle.

• Needle puncture pain: Because during the procedure, it is possible to accidentally damage ligaments or subcutaneous tissue. The treatment is that the doctor can use a smaller needle, avoid repeated punctures, and the patient can use pain relievers.

• Respiratory system: The side effects of spinal anesthesia can affect the respiratory system through symptoms such as decreased breathing or stopped breathing. The treatment is to give the patient oxygen, intubation or artificial ventilation.

• Lower blood pressure: This is a common problem after spinal anesthesia. Because sympathetic blockade causes peripheral vasodilatation, blood retention causes relative hypovolemia and decreased cardiac output. The treatment is to adjust the patient’s position accordingly, give fluids or use vasopressors if necessary.

• Total paralysis: This is a serious complication caused by injection of many anesthetics into the spinal cord or high doses of local anesthetics. Symptoms may include generalized paralysis, respiratory arrest, severe hypotension, and loss of consciousness. Treatment is artificial respiration, intravenous fluids, antihypertensive drugs and cardiac support. Usually this is a potentially life-threatening emergency that requires prompt treatment.

• Nerve system: Side effects of spinal anesthesia include nerve damage, such as nerve root damage, headaches, or back pain. This can be caused by the needle containing the anesthetic penetrating the nerve tissue or by the drugs injected into the cerebrospinal fluid. These lesions can heal on their own after a period of time or can be permanent if left untreated.

In addition to the above treatments to limit the side effects of spinal anesthesia, you can do gentle sports, get proper rest, and avoid standing or sitting for too long after the procedure.

The method of spinal anesthesia is chosen by many patients when performing surgery thanks to its advantages such as reasonable price, good muscle relaxation, etc. Therefore, you should understand clearly the side effects of spinal anesthesia. Live to work with your doctor, anticipate risks, and help make the procedure a success.